Refrigerating apparatus and regulator.



J. C. BEHTSCH.

REFRIGEARAT'ING APPARATUS AND REGULATOR.

HIS ATTORNEY IN FACT J. C. BERTSCH.

REFRIGERA'HNG APPARATUS AND REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FlLED OCT. 8, I915- Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HIS ATTORNEY IN FACT c. BERTSCH. REFRIGERATING APPARATUS AND REGULATOR.

APPLICATTON HLED 0CT.'8, 1915.

1 ,Q4'L2U9. v Patented Nov. 20, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- HIS ATTORNEY IN FACT ens can ion.

JOHN C. BERTSCH, F EDGEWOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA.

BEFRIGEEATIN G APPARATUS AND REGULATOR.

memos.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2o, roar.

Application filed October 8, 1915. Serial No. 54,783.

. trolling the operation of a refrigerating apparatus which renders it automatic without the necessity of employing external auxiliary controlling devices.

Another object is to provide means by means of which the condenser and evaporator, each independent of the other, controls its own pressures and at the same time acts as its own safety device.

Still another object of this invention is the automatic removal of any lubricant which maybe carried into the evaporator.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be fully explained in the following specification and be pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a form of this invention most suitable for domestic installations, together with details of construction and some modifications required for industrial purposes.

Figure 1 is-a vertical section through the center and at right angles with the compressor axis of a domestic apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section along line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the fluid regulating valve within the evaporator.

Fig. 4 is a cross section along line 33 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the center and along the axis of the compressor of a domestic apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 5 with the cover removed.

Fig. 7 is a. cross section along line 41 of Figs. 8 and 9 are detailsshowing the construction of the collapsible vessels forming evaporator and condenser.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical section through the lubricant return pump, within the evaporator.

Fig. 11 is a cross section of Fig. 10.

Fig. 19. is a diagram showing the application of this invention to a combination apparatus for industrial purposes.

Fig. 13 is an elevation of an evaporator or condenser consisting of a number of collapsible vessels.

Fig. 1% is a plan view of an evaporator or condenser shown in Fig. 13.

along line 5-5 The apparatus illustrated in the a'ccompanying drawings includes a compressor of the type in which lubricant, such as water, glycerin, or a similar liquid is delivered to the working passages and the apparatus is adapted to employ a refrigerant liquid or fluid. such for example, as ethyl chlorid, rhigolene lighter than the lubricant employed in the compressor. It must be understood. however, that with very slight modifications fluids heavier thanthe lubricant may be employed, such as carbon tetrachlorid. or the like, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth by the appended claims.

The apparatus illustrated includes a pump or compressor generally indicated by A in Fig. 1. which withdraws vaporized or gaseous refrigerant from a' vaporizer, generally indicated at 28 and compresses the fluid so withdrawn into a condenser, generally indicated at '20 in Fig. 1. The condenser is provided with a lubricant separator (here inafter fully described) since, with the type of compressor illustrated, lubricant is apt. to'be and in fact will be delivered with the refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser. While the construction, arrangement and location of the separator forms a part of the present invention, it will be apparent that it may be dispensed with where other types of compressors are employed, and I therefore desire it to be understood that the broad invention herein set forth is independent of the separator.

The vaporizer illustrated in Fig. 1 communicates with the fluid'intake of the compressor and is provided with a refrigerant delivery valve. which controls the delivery of refrigerant to vaporizer in accordance With variations in the pressure within it. This is accomplished in a novel manner, as will 'frigerant delivery valve.

ing liquid or fluid to be cooled, and may form cerned. The housing 10 contains the coma art of a vaporizing system such as is or inarily employed in refrigerating apparatus and such as is illustrated in Fig. 12.

The condenser illustrated also forms a novel and important feature of my invention in that it operates to control the delivery of condensing water or cooling liquid in response to variations of pressure encountered within its interior. As illustrated,the condenser consists of an inclosed vessel similar to the vaporizer, having a flexible or collapsi'ble wall which is adapted to occupy diflerent positions in response to variations in the pressure. within the condenser and to control or actuate the cooling water or liquid delivery valve. As illustrated in Fig. 1 a condensing chamber, provided with a flexible or collapsible wall may form the entire condenser for the apparatus, or it may form a part ofan ordinary condensing system such as is illustrated in Fig. 12.

Referring now .to the drawings by means of the reference numerals; a casting 10 forms the base of the apparatus and also the housing of the rotary compressor, which may be of any well known construction as far as the internal working parts are conpressor cylinder 11; the suction chamber 12, the lubricant return chamber 13, the discharge chamber. 14, the fluid chamber 15 and the lubricant chamber 16. l

The cylinder 11 is closed by a cylinder head 17 (see Fig. 7), which contains another lubricant chamber 16, connected with ehamber 16 by a passage 18 (see Fig. 5). -'On top of the housing 10 is a flanged neck 19, (Figs. 1 and 5), which carries the condenser 20, and within the latter a separator 21.

Discharge chamber 14 is provided with a discharge pipe 22 through which the compressed mixture of lubricant and fluid-gas is discharged into the separator 21 where separation takes place, the lubricant passin" through passages 23 mto chambers 16 am 16, and the gas passing throu 11 holes 24 into the condenser 20 for being iquefied by the action of the cooling water on the outside of the condenser.

The liquid passes then through port 25 into the liquid chamber 15 and from there through pipe 26 and regulating valve 27 into the evaporator 28. Within the la her the liquid is vaporized by the heat supplied by the cold carrier, such as water, brine, or the like, contained in a tank 29, in

which the evaporator is immersed. The vapor resulting from said vaporization is drawn into the rotary compressor through vapor pipe 30 and suction chamber 12, and after being compressed, is discharged into .the condenser 20 as stated above, and for the purpose mentioned, thus completing the entire cycle of operation.

A water jacket 31 surrounding completely the housing 10 and condenser 20, is supplied with cooling water through valve 32.

- The cooling water cools first the housing 10 with all its chambers and their contents, and then in a counter-current fashion, the gas within the condenser, leaving the apparatus by overflowing into a funnel 33 and assing out through outlet 34, as shown in igs. l and 5. v

The successful operation and economy of a refrigerating apparatus, particularly for domestic and small industrial purposes, depends entirely upon the closest regulation of the fluid supply to the evaporator and water supply to the condenser, which keep the pressures within both in proper relation to the temperatures.

For such a close regulation, a great number of auxiliary devices with more or less delicate mechanisms have been proposed, without furnishing simple and reliable means for the end 1n view. The regulating devices used heretofore consist chiefly of diaphragms, so-called balanced valves, or electrical devices. In most cases,- the diaphragms are too weak and limited in their movement for a great range of pressures,

and when used in connection with evapora- The balanced valves produce' much friction, and the least grit or change in the viscosity of the lubricant'or fluid prevents their proper action.

The electrical devices invariably are put out of order by the deposit of moisture present in or around refrigerators, leaving the apparatus in uncontrollable condition. Neither one of these older devices serves as a reliable and safe regulator, and besides, they are mostly too complicated and ex pensive to be handled by unskilled persons.

To eliminate allof these defects, I employ the inherent power of the expansion and contraction of the fluid upon large surfaces, gained by replacing the customary pipe coils used for evaporator and condenser, in part or as a whole, by collapsible vessels, as shown in Fi s. 1, 5, 12, 13 and 14. These vessels may e constructed of any suitable material, such as brass, copper, steel, or the like, in any required size, for any pressures, and in forms as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, or any similar shape. I employ these collapsilarger, or in existing installations, these collapsible vessels may be used in connection with pipe coils, located either around or above or below, or on the side of the former, as in part indicated by the diagram of Fig. 12. In all cases, one single unit of collapsible vessel, for each condenser and evaporator, is suflicient for carrying the means required for the regulation of the apparatus.

The collapsible condenser 20 I provide on top with a hinged lever 35, rod 36, and adjusting screw 37, (Figs. 5 and 6) for the automatic regulation of the water inlet valve 32. When the apparatus is at rest or just stopping, the pressure within the condenser :20 decreases and the collapsible vessel contracts, thereby closing the water valve 3:2. \Vhen starting or operating, the pressure within the condenser increases, and after reaching a predetermined height, the collapsible vessel has expanded enough to open gradually the water valve 32 by lever and rod 36, until equilibrium exists between the pressure and the corresponding temperature produced by the flowing cooling water. After this, the least increase in pressure expands the collapsible vessel more and the lever 35 and rod 36 open thevalve 3:2 wider.

so that more water flows,and the least decrease in pressure causes the collapsible vessel to contract, thereby closing the'valve 32 a little and supplying less water to the condenser. But in case of excessive pressure the collapsible vessel expands to its limit stop and thereby opens the valve 3'2 wide,

so that at once a suliicient amount of water flows to the condenser to overcome the high pressure by instant cooling. If. the temperature of the coolin water changes to a higher or lower one, t e quantity of water is automatically increased or decreased respectively, so that the proper and predetermined pressure is always maintained regardless of the fluctuations in both the temperature. of the cooling water and pressure in the condenser. I I

It is evident that this method of re ulation is positive and results in a pe ectly safe operation as well as in a great economy in cooling water. 1

If more than one condenser unit is employed, as indicated in diagram Fig. 1'2. the collapsible condenser. 20 as a part of the whole condenser, may be provided with as many levers 35 aS there are condenser units,

so that each unit is controlled independently from the others with reference to the water supply. The location of the water valves 3:? may be at any convenient place in reach of a lever or rod connected to a link or lever on top of the collapsible vessel forming a part of the whole condenser.

Each collapsible vessel is provided with a suitable limit stop, both for contraction and expansion (not shown), in order to keep their movement within safe and propel limits.

1f the collapsible vessel forms the whole of the condenser, it must be llllllltl. ((l in the cooling water, whereas in cases where it forms only a part of 'the hole condenser as indicated in Fig. 12, the immersion of the collapsible vessel may be dispensed with without detracting any of its working or controlling qualities, but simply losing the cooling value of its surfaces.

The very same principles just described for the collapsible condenser 20 hold equally well for the collapsible evaporator 2s. with the only difference that all collapsible vessels used as evaporators mustalways be immeised within the cold carrier in order to prevent their covering with frost or ice.

In the evaporator, the collapsible vessel regulates by its expansion and contraction the flow of the liquid fluid into the evaporator. and at the same time pumps automatically any lubricant which may get into the evaporator out of the latter and into the l'otary compressor. The means for both of these operations are located within the collapsible vessel, being adjustable from without for any desired service.

For the regulation of the flow of liquid fluid into the evaporator. liquid pipe 26 is rigidly connected to the top of the collapsible vessel 28 (Figs. 1 3 and 5) extending within said vessel and terminating in a cylinder which fits slidingly into a sleeve 38. The latter is supported by a screw 39 which rests within collars in the top wall of vessel 28, turning in the latter, and is protected against the atmosphere by a cap 40 which fits tightly to vessel 28.

Sleeve 38 has one or more slots, 41, through which the fluid must pass on its way to the evaporator 28, and may be adjusted up or down by the screw 39. To the bottom of vessel 28 is rigidly connected plate 42, carrying a stem 43 which supports a perforated cap 44. The plate l2 forms the cover of an opening through which the cap I 44 can pass for assembly and repair. Cap 44 fits slidingly over slotted sleeve 38, and opens and closes with its inner edge the ports 41 by the expansion and contraction of the collapsible wall of vessel 28. While the apparatus is at rest or just stalting, the pressure within the vessel 28 is much greater than while under operating condition, hence it is expanded. and the cap 44 closes completely the ports 41. During the operation of the apparatus the presure within vessel 28 is reduced and the vessel contracted, until the ports 41 begin to open and permit the flow of liquid fluid into the evaporator 28. If more liquid is permitted than desired, the vessel 28' expands and closes the ports 41, and if not enough liquid is permitted to enter vessel 28, its pressure is reduced by the compressor and the ports 41 open more by the contraction of vessel 28. In this manner, liquid fluid is fed to the evaporator at a predetermined rate without the least possibility of clogging up of the ports 41 or flooding the vessel 28, as with the olddevices.

Some of the lubricant used within the compressor for lubrication and sealing, may

'be carried into theevaporator in an atomized condition. If not returned to the compressor, the lubricant supply within the latter may become short, resulting in the heating up of the moving parts. To return such lubricant from the evaporator to the compressor, the expansion and contraction of the collapsible vessel is also made use of in the following manner (Figs. 1, 10 and 11). To the bottom of vessel 28 is attached a double acting pump cylinder 45 covered by a tightly fitting cap 46 which receives the lubricant from the vessel 28 through a number of holes 47 in the bottom ofthe latter. A double valved piston 48 fits into the cylinder 45 and is rigidly connected to a delivery pipe 49 leading to and connecting rigidly with lubricant return chamber 13, and sliding within a stufling box neck 50, as a part of the bottom of vessel 28. The operation of the lubricant return pump takes place during the stopping and starting of the apparatus, when the extreme limits of expansion and contraction of collapsible vessel 28 are reached, in which instances the pump piston 48 forms also the limit stop for the collapsible vessel. When stopping, the pressures within the condenser andevaporator equalize, and the vessel 28 expands to its limits. During this expansion all the lubricant which accumulated on top of piston 48 is pressed by the annular ring 51 into the chamber 52 and through the ball valve 53 into the delivery pipe 49, and through the latter into'the lubricant return chamber 12.

During this performance the lower chamber 54 fills with lubricant, through openings 55 in the cylinder 45.. When the apparatus starts again, and the pressure within the vessel 28 decreases, the vessel 28 contracts and as piston 48 is stationary, the lubricant in chamber 54 is pressed through ball-valve 56 into the delivery pipe 49 and from there into lubricant return chamber 13. This action is absolutely automatic and very forceful, so that no lubricant can remain within the vessel 28. If less lubricant than the pump can replace is accumulating within vessel 28,-some liquid fluid instead of lubri- Vessel 28 need not necessarily be located directly under the rotary compressor, but

same can be located, just as all the other parts of a complete apparatus, any distance from the compressor, as indicated in the diagram of Fig. 12. In the latter, 60 is the water main line from \vhichthe valves 32 are fed and regulated by the rods 36 connecting a with the top of collapsible condenser 20. Water line 61 supplies the water'jacket of the compressor and collapsible condenser 20, whereas water line 62 supplies the atmospheric condenser 63. The collapsible condenser 20 is augmented by a spiral pipe condenser 64 within the common'water jacket 31,:1nd a gas line 65 leading from the bottom of vessel 20 supplies the condensers 63 and 64 \vith gas to be liquefied. The liquid lines 66 and 67 of the condensers 63 and 64 lead into the main li uid line 26 which connects with the collapsible vessel 28 and regulating valve 27 as described above, but at a certain distance from the base and housing 10. r

In like manner leads the return pipe 49 from the lubricant pump within vessel 28 to the distant-l located base and housing 10.

The part y vaporized fluid leaves the vessel 28 through pipe 68 to a second evaporator 69, which may be either a room coil, or a freezing tank coil, or the like. The fully evaporated fluid enters the suction chamber within the housing 10 through a va orpipe 30 as before, only distantly'located rom the housing lO.

It is evident that the whole arrangement of the apparatus forming the subject of this invention may be made-in a great number of different ways without in the least departing from the scope of my invention, and I do therefore not limit myself to the specific arrangements shown in the accompanying drawings. and mentioned in these specifications, but claim any and all arrangements withinthe scope and principles of my invention.

I claim:

1. In combination in a refrigerating apparatus a va orizer, a compressor for with drawing re igerant vapor from the vaporizer, a condensing chamber having a flexible wall, receiving refri erant vapor from the com re'ssor, means or delivering cooling liquid to the exterior of the condensing chamber, and means controlled by variations in the position of the flexible wall of the condensing chamber for controlling the delivery of cooling water to the condenser.

2. In combination in a refrigerating apparatus, a vaporizer, a compressor for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from the va porizer, a condenser including a chamber having a flexible wall capable of occupying different positions in response to variations in its internal pressure, means for delivering cooling liquid to the condenser, and a valve.

actuated by the flexible wall of said chamber for controlling the delivery of cooling liquid by said means.

3. In an apparatus of the character deexterior of said chamber. and means actuated by variations in the position of said collapsible wall for controlling the operation of.

the first mentioned means. I

5. In a refrigerating apparatus. a vaporizer having a flexible cylindrical wall mov able in response to pressure within the vaporizer. and a valve for delivering refrig erant to said vaporizer controlled by variations in the length of mid wall.

6. In a refrigerating apparatus. a vaporizing chamber. surrounded by liquid to be cooled and having a longitudinally collapsi-' ble cylindrical wall movable in response to variations of pressure within the chamber. and a valve for controlling the delivery of refrigerant to said chamber controlled in its operation by said flexible wall. p

7. In a refrigerating apparatus. a vaporizing chamber surrounded by liquid to be cooled and provided with a colla sible casing. and a refrigerant delivery va ve for delivering refrigerant to said chamber controlled by variations in the colla sible casing occasioned by variations 0 pressure within the chamber.

8. In a refrigerating apparatus, a vaporizer having a collapsible wall and surrounded by liquid to be cooled, a refrigerant delivery valve for delivering refrigerant to said chamber, controlled by variations in said collapsible wall. a condensing chamber having a colla sible wall and surrounded by cooling liquid. a valve for controlling the delivery of cooling liquid. means actuated by the collapsible wall of said cpndenser for controlling the operation of said valve. and a compressor f r ithd awing p rized r frigerant from said vaporizer and for delivering it to said condenser.

9. In a refrigerating apparatus, a vaporizing chamber having a collapsible wall responsive in its movements to variations of pressure within the chamber, a condensing chamber having a collapsible casing responsive in its movements to variations of pressure within the condensing chamber, means controlled by movements of the collapsible wall of the condenser for c0ntrolling the delivery of condensing liquid. means controlled by movements of the collapsible wall of the vaporizing chamber for controlling the delivery of refrigerant to the vaporizer, and means for withdrawing vaporized refrigerant from the vaporizer and for delivering it to the condenser.

10. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a rotary compressor forcirculating a volatile fluid: a fluid chamber, vapor chamber and lubricant chamber within said compressor; a longitudinally collapsible condenser containing internally a lubricant separator, the condenser being supported by said compressor and having communication therewith. said condenser operating cooling water.

regulating means by its expansion and contraction caused by a change of its internalpressure: means for passing the separated lubricant into said lubricantchamber and the fluid into said condenser; a water jacket having inlet and outlet openings for the water surrounding said compressor and said condenser: a longitudinally colla sible evaporator immersed in a non-congea able liquid and containing internally a lubricant pump and an externally adjustable fluid regulator operated by the collapsibility of said evaporator said compressor and said evaporator being operatively connected by the compressor: means for supplying said fluid regulator from. said fluid chamber in the compressor with liquid refrigerant; means for passing the refrigerant vapor from said evaporator to said vapor chamber in the compressor, and means for discharging the lubricant from saidpump in the evaporator into said lubricant chamber in the compressor.

11. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a rotary compressor for the circulation of a,

volatile. fluid. having internally a vapor chamber, a fluid chamber and a lubricant chambena condenser formed by a longitudinally collapsible vessel supported by said compressor and housing internally a. lubricant se arator: means for passing the separated lu ricant from said separator into said lubricant chamber in the compressor and the separated fluid into the condenser; external cooling water regulating means operated by the collapsibility of said vwl, which is caused to expand and to oontram bya change of presure existing therein; a

wi l

common water jacket surrounding said compressor and condenser and having at the bottom 2. water inlet and near the top a water outlet and internal funnel for overflow; a longitudinally collapsible vessel immersed in a cooling medium, forming an evaporator and operating by its collapsibility a fluid regulator and lubricant pump located within the same,-said evaporator having communication with the condenser through the rotary compressor; means for circulating the fluid from said fluid chamber within said compressor to and through said fluid regulator within said evaporator; means for externally adjusting the flow of fluid throuh said fluid regulator; means for passing t e fluid vapor from said evaporator into said vapor chamber within said compressor, and means. for discharging the lubricant from pump within said evaporator into the lubri cant chamber within said compressor.

12. In a refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a rotary compressor for the cir culation of a volatile fluidahaving a vapor chamber, a lubricant chamber and a fluid chamber as integral parts of its housing;

condensers, oneot which ;consists of a collapsible vessel supported by said compressor and regulating the flow of cooling water by its collapsibility; a lubricant separator within the same. and means for circulating the liquid fluid. fluid vapor and lubricant, between said collapsible evaporator and the said respective chambers within the said compressor.

13. In a refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a rotary compressor containing separate chambers for liquid fluid, lubricant and fluid vapor; a cooling water regulator forming a part of a condenser and consisting of a collapsible vessel regulating the flow of condensing water by its expansion and contraction; a water jacket surrounding said compressor and cooling water regulator; a fluid regulator immersed in a cold carrier and consisting of a collapsible vessel regulating the flow of liquid fluid to the evaporator by its expansion and contraction and bein a part of the evaporator containing t e regulating means operated by said colla sible vessel; a lubricant pump 10- catcd within said collapsible evaporator'and operated by the expansion and contraction of the same; and means for circulating the flu1d, lubr1cant and fluid-vapor between the respective parts of said immersed fluid reguthe means for regulating the flow of water.

to said condensers.

16. In a refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a condenser consistin at least in part of a plurality-of collapsib e vessels of which one operates by the contraction and expansion caused by a change of pressure in its interior the means for regulating the flow of water to each of said vessels or other condenser. f

17. In a refrigerating apparatus, a liquid fluid regulator immersed in a cold carrier and consisting of a collapsible vessel forming at least a part of the evaporator, and which is provided with external means for adjusting the internal flow of liquid fluid to said evaporator, said internal means being operated by the expansion and contraction of the walls of said vessel caused by a change in the internal pressure thereof.

18. In a refrigerating apparatus, a liquid fluid regulator immersed in a cold carrier and consisting of a collapsible vessel forming at least a part of an evaporator holding in its interior regulating means for the flow of liquid fluid and also means for forcing lubricant from said vessel into the compressor, said means being'operated by the expansion and contraction of the Walls of said vessel, caused by a change of pressure in the interior of same.

19. In a refrigerating apparatus, a liquid fluid regulator immersed in a cold carrier and consisting of a collapsible vessel forming at least a part of an evaporator and containing a lubricant ump and an externally adjustable fluid'ori ce, said pump and or1- I lapsible walls, said e pansion and contrac- 13a naav aoa tion being caused by a change of its internal presure and said collapsible walls being submerged in a noncongealable liquid.

:21. In a refrigerating apparatus, an evaporator consisting atleastin part of a pluralit-y of collapsible vessels of which one operates an internally located and externally adjustable device for regulating the flow of liquid fluid to said collapsible vessels and other evaporator by the expansion and contraction of said ves el immersed in a cold carrier, said expansion and contraction being caused by a change of pressure in the interiorof said collapsible vessel.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed by name this 7th day of October, 1915.

J01v o. BERTSCH. 

